Makhaya Ntini’s top 3 performances in Test

South Africa ushered in a new era when Makhaya Ntini became the first coloured player to represent the Proteas. In a career spanning 11 years, Makhaya Ntini was the biggest match-winner for his side and played a key role alongside Shuan Pollock and Allan Donald.

After the retirements of Donald and Pollock, it was Ntini who was left with the task of spearheading the attack. He found good support from Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel who soon became an integral part of South African cricket.

When he retired in 2009 from test cricket, Ntini had played 101 matches and picked 390 wickets. His best of 7/37 was one of the 18 fifers he took along with the four occasions where he picked ten in a game.

Here are the top 3 Makhaya Ntini performances in Test cricket

3- 6/59 vs Pakistan – Port Elizabeth – 2007

The 2nd Test match between Pakistan and South Africa saw the visitors post a huge win by 59 runs. Makhaya Ntini though fought well as he picked 8 wickets in the game with 6/59 in the 1st innings. Batting first the home team was out for 124, as Pakistan were all out for 265. Ntini got the wickets of Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Yasir Hameed, and Younis Khan before dismissing Mohammad Sami to get his fifer.

2- 6/66 vs New Zealand – Bloemfontein – 2000

Jacques Kallis with 160 and half-centuries by Mark Boucher and Nick Boje made sure South Africa reached 471 in their first innings. The Kiwis were bowled out for 229 in their 1st innings and were asked to follow on. Ntini bowled with pace and fire as he picked 6/66 from 31.4 overs with the huge wickets of Nathan Astle and Craig McMillan added to his kitty.

Also Read: Makhaya Ntini’s top 3 performances in ODI Cricket

1- 7/37 vs West Indies – Trinidad -2004

After picking 6/95 in the first innings, Makhaya Ntini picked his career-best 7/37 to help his team win the game. West Indies batted first and posted 347 thanks to Brian Lara who scored 196. South Africa responded with 398 as Graeme Smith scored 148 to take a lead of 51 runs. Ramnaresh Sarwan was the only man to put up a fight as he scored 107 out of a total of 194 as Ntini ran through the West Indian batting unit and picked 7/37 which included the prize wickets of Gayle and Chanderpaul.